Cabinet installed electronic apparatus



Oct. 14,1958 w. c. PADGETT ETAL 2,856,450

CABINET INSTALLED ELECTRONIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l I, YINVENTORS: WALTER C. PADGETT RAYMOND J. BOESEN ATT'YS.

Oct. 14, 1958 w. c. PADGETT ET AL 2,8

CABINET INSTALLED ELECTRONIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS.

TER C. PADGETT RAYMOND J. BOESENv TT'Ys.

Oct. 14; 1958 w. c. PADGETT ET AL 2,856,450

CABINET INSTALLED ELECTRONIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 w INVENTORS: WALTER C. PADGETT RAYMOND J. BOESEN AW ATT'YS.

Oct. 14, 1958 w. c. PADGETT ET'AL 2,856i450 CABINET INSTALLED ELECTRONIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 51, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IOI l 92 loo Y 54H O 0 m 99 "h. h n-Ml; 1i

WALTER C. PADGETT RAYMOND J. BOESEN 47' X6 ATT'YS Unite States Patent CABINET INSTALLED ELECTRONIC APPARATUS Walter C. Padgett, Elmhurst, and Raymond J. Boesen, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Stewart-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Virginia Application January 31, 1955, Serial No. 485,053

3 Claims. (Cl. 174-52) Relating to compact, cabinet housed electronic apparatus; such as military type radio, radar, and radio signal direction finding units; the present invention is directed particularly to cabinet installations of one or more assemblies of electronic apparatus supported for movement between normal positions within a cabinet and wholly extended positions in which each assembly can be tilted to various angles for convenient inspection and repair.

One object of the invention is to provide electronic apparatus housed in an improved cabinet installation of the above character which aifords to the user greatly increased ease and convenience not only in moving each cabinet supported assembly from one position to another but also in manually releasing powerful locking means and detent means which serve respectively to secure the assembly in normal position within the cabinet and in various tilted positions external of the cabinet.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is perspective view of a cabinet installation of electronic apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same installation showing one of two extendable assemblies of electronic apparatus shifted to an extended and tilted position outside of the cabinet;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken generally along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view taken from the line 44 of Fig. 2 and showing an elevation of the right hand control handle assembly;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the control handle and coacting locking and latching structure, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but showing the relationship of the parts when the handle is in a horizontal position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the handle assembly of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the locking structure of Fig. 5, as viewed from the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view of anchor structure shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of locking and detent control structure operated by one handle assembly.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is incorporated into a horizontally elongated cabinet 10 supported on four short foot members 11 and open at the front or forward end, as shown in Fig. 2. The cabinet 10 houses upper and lower assemblies or units 12 and 14 of electronic apparatus normally coupled with con necting structure 16 in the rear of the cabinet, Fig. 3. The upper and lower assemblies 12, 14 shown, together with the connecting structure 16, comprise the components of a radio signal direction finding installation which are normally mounted together in a cabinet. For

ice

a more detailed description of specific radio signal direc tion determining apparatus of this character reference may be made to U. S. Patent No. 2,656,536 issued October 20, 1953, to R. W. Lockhart.

The upper assembly 12 includes a cathode ray tube 18 mounted behind a vertical instrument and control panel 2t) on the forward end of the assembly. The instrument panel 2% and a similar panel 22 on the lower assembly 14 cover the open end of the cabinet 10 when both assemblies are in normal positions within the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 1.

As the cabinet mounting structure for both assemblies 12, 14 are generally similar, the following description of the specific movable mounting structure and controls used with the upper assembly 12 will serve for both. The electrical coupling structure illustrated in connection with the lower assembly, Fig. 3, is typical of that used with the upper assembly as Well.

The electronic components of the upper assembly 12 are mounted on a frame 24 which extends rearwardly from the instrument panel 20.

The frame 24 is mounted on the cabinet 10 for move ment between a normal position within the cabinet and a wholly extended position in which the frame can be tilted to various angular positions for inspection and repair of the electrical components of the assembly 12.

Translatory support for the frame 24 is provided by two telescopic track or rail assemblies 26 mounted horizontally on the opposite side walls of the cabinet 10. Each assembly 26 comprises three telescopic track members including a stationary track 30 secured to the inner surface of an adjacent wall of the cabinet 10, an intermediate member 32 slidably supported on the stationary member, and an extreme member 34 slidably supported on the intermediate member for extension beyond the stationary member 30. Antifriction rollers or bearings 36 mounted in load supporting relation between the coacting track members 30, 32, and 34 coact with suitable stops 38 on various members to limit outward movement of each translatable member in relation to its supporting track member.

The frame 24 is supported near the center of gravity of the upper assembly 12 by two pivotal mounts 40 on the respective track assemblies 26. The upwardly extending portion of each bracket 40 is centrally apertured to receive a horizontal stub shaft or trunnion 44 at tached to the adjacent portion of the frame 24.

The two track assemblies 26 support the upper electronic assembly 12 for horizontal translation from a normal position within the cabinet 10, Fig. 1, to an extended position wholly external of the cabinet, Fig. 2, where the assembly 12 can be tilted on the trunnions 44 to inclined positions convenient for inspection and repair of the electronic structure.

The assembly 12 is either locked in normal horizontal position within the cabinet 16 or latched in various inclined positions, after it has been translated outwardly of the cabinet, by lock and detent structure arranged for operation by one hand of an operator applied to a handle 46, which is used in moving the assembly from one position to another. The handle for the assembly, together with the associated locking and latching structure, preferably is duplicated on both sides of the assembly to provide additional strength and stability.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, each handle 46 is formed from a right angled member including an elongated hand grip portion 48 extending in parallel spaced relation to the instrument panel 2i) from an axially bored leg 50 attached to an actuating shaft 52 extending rearwardly through a bearmg support 54 1n the instrument panel.

As the assembly 12 moves horizontally into its normal position within the cabinet 10, the rear end of the shaft 52 moves into an outwardly open horizontal bore 56 in a stationary anchor member 58 mounted inside the cabinet 10. The shaft 52 is locked in the anchor member 58 against outwardv movement by a transverse pin 60 extending through a slidable plug 62. disposed in a rearwardly open axial bore 64 in the. shaft 52 and urged forwardly by a spring 66 anchored in the bore. Opposite ends of the pin 60 project outwardly through axial slots 68 in the shaft 52.

The projecting ends of the pin 60 move rearwardly through outwardly open. axial slots 70' in the outer end of the anchor member 58, see Fig. 7'. At this time the handle grip 48, as will be later explained in greater detail, is in a horizontal position.

The inner ends of the anchor member slots 70 merge with generally helical cam slots which run inwardly from the inner ends of the slots 70' and extend around the anchor member 58 for approximately a quarter turn to anchoring seats 74 for the pin 60 recessed outwardly tov a slight extent from the inner ends of the cam slots 72 to form retaining ledges 76 between the outer extremities of the seats and the cam slots.

After the assembly 12 has reached substantially its normal position in the cabinet 10, the handle grip 48 is swung upwardly to a vertical position thus camming opposite ends of the pin 60 inwardly along the cam slots 72 into the anchoring seats 74. This compresses the spring 66 applying tension to the shaft 52 which pulls the handle member 50 firmly against the instrument panel 20 to hold the assembly 12 steady in its normal position.

Swinging movement of the handle grip 48 is limited substantially to a 90 arc by the pin 78 fixed in the in strument panel 20 adjacent the handle shaft 52 and extending into an arcuate slot 80 in the handle leg 50.

The handle grip 48 is held in vertical locking position against downward swinging movement by a catch 82 slid ably mounted in an inwardly projecting protuberance 84 on the upper end of the grip, Fig. 5. The catch 82 is urged toward the cabinet by a spring 86 to engage a centrally open boss 88 on the instrument panel 20. A thumb grip release 90 extends upwardly from the catch 82 through the protuberance 84 for operation by' the hand of the user applied to the hand grip 48.

The detent linkage used to retain the assembly 12 in various tipped or inclined positions after being extended clear of the cabinet 10 is duplicated on both sides of the assembly. Each detent linkage comprises a downwardly and inwardly inclined bar 92' slidably mounted on the vertical side of the frame 24 by two pins 94 extending outwardly through longitudinal slots 96 in the bar. The lower inner end of the bar 92 is pointed to engage the various notches 98 in a serrated sector 99 of the bracket 40 extending for a substantial distance around the pivotal trunnion 44 in the bracket, Fig. 2.

The detent bar 92 is operated by a generally vertical link 100, Fig. 9, having a loose pivotal connection 101 at its upper end with the upper outer end of the bar. The link 100 is swingable about a medial pivotal support 102 attached to the frame 24 below the bar 92.

The lower end of thelink 100 is bifurcated and formed 103 to articulate with a slidable collar 104 encircling the handle shaft 52. As shown in Fig. 5, the collar 104 is attached by a transverse pin 106, extending through axial slots 108 in the shaft 52, to the inner end of a stem 110 extending toward the handle 46 through an axial bore 112 in the handle shaft into the handle leg 50. The stem 110 is biased toward the handle 46 by a spring 111 in the bore 112. x

The handle end of the stem 110 is tapered to forn. a conical cam 114 which is engaged by a coacting inclined cam surface 116 on the adjacent end of an operating plunger 118 extending through an axial bore 120 in the handle grip 48. The end of the plunger 118 opposite the cam 116- is enlarged to. form a head 121 which protrudes 4 somewhat beyond the end of the handle grip 48 for operation by the thumb of the users hand applied to the grip.

The plunger 118 is biased away from the stem by a compression spring 122 encircling the plunger between the head 121 and the base of a counterbore 126 which receives the head. Outward movement of the plunger 118 by the spring 122 is limited by a transverse pin 128 in the hand grip 48. which extends through a larger transverse notch 130 in the plunger.

It will be appreciated that inward movement of the plunger 118 by thumb pressure on the head 121. acts through the coacting cams 116 and 114 to move the stem 110 inwardly. This swings the connecting link 100 in a direction for disengaging the detent bar 92 from the serrated sector 99 of the. coacting pivotal support bracket 40 to release the assembly 12 for swinging movement. The downwardly inclined position of the slidable bar 92 on the supporting frame 24 causes the bar to seek reengagement bracket sector 99.

The handle grips 48 are used to pull the assembly 12 from the cabinet 10 and. swing it to the desired angular position. A pulling force applied to each handle grip 48 is transmitted through. the handle shaft 52' to a bracket 132. on theframe 24 through a dished annular spring 134 encircling the shaft between the bracket and a circular shoulder 136 on the shaft.

The assembly 12 is automatically locked in extended position by a spring biased detent 138 on the intermediate support rail 32 which engages a coacting opening 140 in the rail member 34 as the assembly 12 is translated to its fully extended position. The detent 138 is released by means of an upright arm 142 which is manually actuated by the operator when the assembly is to be returned to normal position.

Electrical connections between the electronic assembly 12 and the connecting structure 16 in the cabinet 10 are made by one or more couplings, which are automatically separated and reconnected as an incident to movement of the assembly away from and its return to normal position within the cabinet 10. For convenience, the description will be related to similar couplings shown in connection with the lower assembly 14, Fig. 3.

Each coupling 150 is formed by a member 152 mounted on the cabinet 10 and a member 154 attached to the movable assembly 14 for engagement with the stationary member as the assebmly is translated horizontally into its normal position. One of the two members 152, 154, in this instance the member 152', forms a receiver for projecting elements 156 on the other member.

Proper alignment of the projecting elements 156 on the male member 154 with the receiver of the female member 152 is assured during reengagement of the two members by a guide pin 158 mounted on the movable assembly frame 24 and extending rearwardly in parallel relation to the projecting electrical elements 156 of the coupling member 154. The effective length of the guide pin 158 is somewhat longer than that of the projecting coupling elements 156 and engages a coacting female guide or socket 160 before the coupling members 152, 154 are engaged as the assembly 12 is returned horizonta-lly into normal position, thus assuring proper alignment of the coacting coupling members during reengagement.

To obtain access to the components of the electronic assembly 12 for inspection or repair, the operator places one hand on each handle grip 48. The catch 82v on each handle grip 48 is released by the thumb of the users hand applied to the member 90. Both handle grips. 48

to be swung by the handle grips 48 into the desired tilted position.

The assembly 12 is automatically retained in the selected tilted position upon release of thumb pressure from the control members 121. Movement of the assembly 12 from its normal position in the cabinet to the extended and tilted position desired is completed before the operator removes his hands from the grips 48.

After completion of the required inspection or repair procedure, the assembly 12 is returned to its normal position in an equally simple manner. After releasing the detents 138 the operator grasps the handle grips 48 and applies thumb pressure to the detent controls 121, thus releasing the assembly 12 for swinging movement by the handles 48 back to a horizontal position in which it is translated into normal position within the cabinet 10. The handles 48 are then swung upwardly, camming the pins 60 into the seats 74 to anchor the assembly in its normal position as previously described. Uncoupling and recoupling of the assembly 12 from the coacting electrical structure 16 in the cabinet 10 is effected automatically as an incident to movement of the assembly out of and into its normal position.

The ready accessibility of the compactly arranged electrical components of the two assemblies 12 and 14 is of great advantage in making inspections and repairs which are so essential, especially in military service.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles and scope of the invention. We therefore desire, by the following claims, to include all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of our invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

We claim:

1. Readily accessible cabinet installed electronic equipment comprising, in combination, a cabinet, a pair of extensible support track assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the cabinet, a unit of assembled electronic apparatus, pivotal support means mounting the unit on the extensible support track assemblies for tilting movement thereon and translation therewith between a normal position within the cabinet and an extended position external of the cabinet, a handle on the unit, a detent coacting with the pivotal unit support means for retaining the unit in various selected angular positions thereon, an operating linkage for the detent including a reciprocable member forming a cam located generally at one end of the handle, an operating plunger extending through the handle with one end exposed for operation by the hand of a user grasping the handle, and the other end of the plunger defining a cam thereon shaped for coaction with the first mentioned cam to move the reciprocable member upon actuation of the plunger.

2. Readily accessible cabinet installed electronic equipment comprising, in combination, a cabinet, extensible telescopic support rail assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the cabinet, a unit of assembled electronic equipment, pivotal means mounting said unit on said rail assemblies for tilting movement thereon, an anchor member mounted within the cabinet, rotary locking means shaped for interlocking engagement with and disengagement from the anchor member as an incident to reverse rotation of the locking means, the locking means including a rotary shaft, a handle on the unit connected with the locking shaft in generally perpendicular relation thereto for imparting rotary control movement to the locking means, detent means coacting With the pivotal unit mount for retaining the unit in various angular positions on the rail assemblies, an operating member coacting with the detent means and disposed in generally concentric relation to the locking shaft and defining a first cam adjacent the handle, a plunger extending longitudinally through the handle and having a second cam on one end thereof coacting with said first cam to impart control movement thereto, and the other end of the plunger extending somewhat beyond the handle for actuation by the hand of a user applied to the handle.

3. Readily accessible cabinet installed electronic equipment comprising, in combination, a cabinet, extensible telescopic support rail assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the cabinet, a unit of assembled electronic apparatus, pivotal means mounting said unit on said rail assemblies for tilting movement thereon, anchoring means supported by the cabinet, locking means supported on said rail assemblies for translation with said unit and shapedto interlock with said anchoring means to positively hold the unit in a normal position in the cabinet, said locking means including an actuating shaft therefor mounted on said unit for rotation about the axis of the shaft and extending outwardly with respect to the unit, a handle on the unit connected with the actuating shaft and disposed in generally perpendicular relation thereto for imparting rotary control movement to the locking means, detent means coacting with the pivotal unit mount for releasably retaining the unit in various angular positions on the rail assemblies, an operating member for the detent means disposed in generally concentric relation to said locking means actuating shaft and defining a first cam adjacent said handle, a plunger extending longitudinally through the handle and having a second cam on one end thereof coacting with said first cam to impart control movement thereto, and the other end of the plunger extending somewhat beyond the handle for actuation by the hand of a user applied to the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 860,769 Tait July 23, 1907 1,114,309 Strickland Oct. 20, 1914 2,175,025 Hooven Oct. 3, 1939 2,510,681 Campbell June 6, 1950 2,602,842 Morris et al. July 8, 1952 2,609,268 Nye Sept. 2, 1952 2,655,422 Gussack Oct. 13, 1953 2,788,253 Gussack Apr. 9, 1957 

